Through it all....God

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to spearate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39


What a beautiful morning....cool, clean and charming with flowers still blooming, butterflies still flying, and birds still chirping.  Fall is here with its promise of tall aspen's color, pumpkin pies, chili, and flames in the fireplace.

I love fall and I love spring....but winter and summer are months I walk through enjoying what they

offer but dreading their extremes, times of off the charts heat and cold and all that comes with those.

And so it is with life...

Days of color and butterflies fluttering...
    Days of perfect temperatures and soft flames flickering...
        Days of flowers blooming and pumpkin pies covered in whipped cream...
               Days we give thanks for.... days we see God's presence everywhere.

And

Days of bitter cold penetrating to our bones...
    Days of suffocating heat wilting not only the flowers and trees but our energy....
          Days of little light, allowing the darkness to envelope all the light around us....
                Days of sadness and grief because of want or loss.
Days where God's presence is beyond our grasp.









This is where the indwelling Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance what Jesus taught us; the truth he taught.

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

"The thief comes only to steal and to kill, but I have come that you may have life and more abundantly."

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle, and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Be comforted and lifted up each of us, in the trials we face today....

Knowing the presence of God involves focusing on his gifts...

[Won't you grab a cup/glass of tea, take a deep breath, and give yourself some time to just sit and reflect on God and his presence.]




How I long for heaven....for a perfect body and heart that won't be concerned with things here, that won't get distracted by the world and its attractions, its stuff, its problems, and its false provisions...

Maybe it is this study in I John, maybe it's the Spirit, maybe it's last nights concert with Michael Card and the lyrics to the songs about just what Christ did for me when he died for me....
and probably it is all those things;
 but I do pray for more focus on...
     my God and Savior,
        my Father and my LORD,
             my Creator and my Provider,
                 my Rock and my Victory.
                      my All in All
                         Who really is all-sufficient.

A YOUtube video making the rounds on FB is one with two twins, clad only in their diapers, standing in front of the refrigerator "talking."  And I mean they are talking, without reservation, without one coherent word in any language. Their body language is amazing and they even laugh. click to watch,

I can guarantee a few things about that conversation....
   They weren't trying to say the right thing in the right way.  They spoke with total abandon sharing what was in their hearts.

Oh that we could do that with our Father.  I know if I would just "talk" to him without trying to do it right, sharing my deepest hurts, needs and desires, telling him about what is happening, what I love, what I see around me that he gave me, what bothers me, what I'm not doing well, and what I would like to do,  my days would be filled with his love because I'm in contact with HIM.

 Perhaps then I would just know that he is here, right now in this very place and he cares more deeply that I can understand.

But to get there,
   I have to be thankful, grateful....
       I have to see his work in me and all around me....
          I have to ASK...
And then be grateful....

I love this verse with all the feeling and emotion of what we need to express to our God.

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Revelation 7:12

And so "Father, I thank you for....:

#616...pastor's wives....for the gifting You have given to bless many

#617...mountains...Pikes Peak all alone that screams God's majesty...every day.

#618...tea...fellowship, smiles, warmth.

#619...blankets to enfold tiredness.

#620..."A Violent Grace" concert with Michael Card...so full of truth, grace, the message of the gospel. "Come to the Table"

#621... suffering that strengthens our trust in You.

#622...time with friends who share desire to help others.

#623...friends staying overnight.

#624...a clean house.

#625...for the motivation to clean.

#626...the fragrance of rain, even a little.

#627...telephone to keep in touch with children, to encourage children, father, brothers, sisters, to share circumstances, feelings, blessings, love.

#628...a card from a friend just to say, "I care."

#629...spring surprises pushing through brown, dry soil.

#630...Zeus, a big dog, who with unbridled happiness remembers the toy I like to play with him.

#631...______ who takes time in SS to say "hello" to Larry and visit for a few minutes.  Bless him abundantly.

#632...for mangoes.

#633...for a grandchild coming soon...July 2 or 3 or 4 or.......

#634...silence...coughs gone.

#635...abundance to give from...

#636... new snow sparkling on Pikes Peak.

#637...trails to hike.,,,the anticipation of new pictures.

#638...grace, given to me over and over when I don't deserve it.

#639....grace, to show to others because of your example of love undeserved.

[You might also enjoy an archived post
"Spring at the Right Time of the Year."]